Skip to Main Content

Bataan Death March Memorial.

Bataan Death March Statue and Walkway

Field review by the editors.

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Bataan, a jungle peninsula on the island of Luzon, was a place where cornered Allied troops fought a last ditch action and surrendered after the Japanese invaded the Philippines. The 78,000 Americans and Filipinos were forced by their captors to walk 65 miles toward prison camps set up in the north. The hellish "Bataan Death March" of March 1942 claimed 11,000 lives from sickness, thirst, and summary executions by bayonet.

The infamous Death March is memorialized in a veterans park in Las Cruces with three larger-than-life bronze statues by sculptor Kelley S. Hestir. Two soldiers assist a third, collapsing comrade; the implication is he probably won't survive the ordeal. According to a sign, more New Mexicans were POWs of the Japanese "per capita" than any other state. The footprints of 38 soldiers "made from the feet of those who survived" create a path in the cement in front of the marchers.

Every year since 1989, a marathon run Bataan Memorial Death March is conducted through the high desert at nearby White Sands Missile Range.

Bataan Death March Statue and Walkway

Veteran's Park

Address:
1721 N. Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces, NM
Directions:
Midway between I-25 exits 3 and 6. Exit at either, drive a half-mile east, then turn left (from 3) or right (from 6) onto Roadrunner Pkwy. Veteran's Park will be 1.5 miles along the road, on the west side.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Toth-Carved Big Indian HeadToth-Carved Big Indian Head, Las Cruces, NM - 2 mi.
Pat Garrett Killed HerePat Garrett Killed Here, Las Cruces, NM - 3 mi.
Pat Garrett Murder Site SignPat Garrett Murder Site Sign, Las Cruces, NM - 3 mi.
In the region:
Space Murals Museum, Organ, NM - 10 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in New Mexico

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New Mexico.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

New Mexico Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings